The Application of Digital Technologies in the Construction Industry

The construction industry is one of the most traditional and least-digitalised sectors, lagging behind in its digital transformation. Now is the time for contractors to review their long-standing methods, and embrace new ways of delivering buildings and infrastructure, making their business more profitable, resilient and agile. This blog will introduce several of the most prominent new digital technology applications in the construction industry.

Construction Visualization with Augmented Reality

•  Instruction and training

 Augmented Reality (AR) is being applied in construction for training purposes, quality inspection, supervision, and strategizing. AR simulates tools, equipment, and other safety scenarios, giving trainees a safe learning environment to ensure on-site safe working procedures.

Construction training using Microsoft HoloLens [3]

•  Underground construction

Construction sites invariably include many hidden features and assets, requiring care and attention to avoid. AR applications have been developed to enable workers to display buried hidden underground utilities on site, thus helping prevent accidental utility strikes. Some augmented reality solution providers like Augview [4] also uses map views from a range of GIS data sources including google maps, allowing users to visualize buried underground cables, utilities or assets, avoiding preventable service interruptions and the need for defect rectifications.

Labelling attribute information and color coding of the underground utilities [5]

•  Project planning and modifying

It can be harder to spot opportunities for design improvements from a blueprint or other 2D models than with a detailed augmented reality display. Using an AR digital overlay of a project, engineers can easily change the layout and orientation of walls or other essential structural components and systems. AR can also show incompatibilities or instances when a design will create a problem during the construction. Updating changes can happen in real-time, so the risk of workers using outdated plans is greatly reduced. Using AR here can avoid budget-killing oversights, lowering the chance for major rework once the project is underway.

On-site Digitalization and Management with Artificial Intelligence

The application of artificial intelligence technology in the construction industry is very much feasible now because of the advancement of machine learning and deep learning.

Construction and architecture design are multi-disciplinary works, so construction companies can hugely benefit from digitalizing and visualizing complex 3D architectural models. Site engineers can also use 3D architectural modeling tools and other AI techniques to plan, manage and document the site effectively.

• Design of Buildings
• Safety Monitoring

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a 3D model-based software that creates a digital model of a building. All the stakeholders of a project, such as architects, clients, builders, suppliers can work on this digital model to productively design, plan, and manage buildings. It considers all the required information from the civil, architecture, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) plans, ensuring that the various plans from the sub-groups do not clash with one another. Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides a generative plan to recognize and reduce clashes between the various models produced by the various groups in the preliminary and working drawing stages to prevent rework. For example, Tekla Structures [6] is a software using AI to make 3D models of MEP systems to do self-check and ensure the whole systems work well.

In the construction industry, the death of construction workers is five times higher than in other industries. The safety of operatives is always of crucial importance. By using machine learning image recognition techniques, one can examine real-time worksite images, and check them for compliancy and security risks. A company called Anavision [7] has developed an AI-Based Construction Site Safety Issues Detection System. The system allows users to use the video streams from their existing CCTV systems on site to detect and identify safety issues happening at the construction site. 

Another example is a product from Smartvid.io [8], which recognizes images of workers not wearing appropriate PPE. The solution can identify potential hazards for projects, allowing HSE Managers to immediately stop work and to hold toolbox talks / safety briefings when a threat is recognized.

Safety Monitoring product VINNIE from Smartvid.io

• Building inspection

Machine Learning can also help identify damage and deterioration to a building’s exterior through computer vision analysis. As frequent inspections would mean building owners can make incremental repairs to prevent bigger defects while saving millions. Engineers from Thornton Tomasetti’s CORE lab has created a computer-vision, machine-learning algorithm known as the Thornton Tomasetti Damage Detector (T2D2) [9].

The tool can now identify and classify damage on masonry, brick, stucco, and other commonly-used materials. Neural networks trained with thousands of previously annotated images quickly identifies the geometry of the structure and assigns material types. It then does an analysis to highlight potential damage that a material type is vulnerable to, this then produces a frame on the real-time image with potential damage classified and highlighted for review. They also have been working in partnership with drone survey companies to provide a thorough facade inspection service.

Classification of potential damages on facade demo from T2D2 [10]

• On-site workers tracking

On-site labour management digitalization also relies on AI techniques. For example, a construction software solution provider Causeway Technologies [11] developed a product called Donseed, which uses biometrics such as fingerprint and facial recognition technologies in their biometric labour management system designed for construction sites. They have also developed a cloud-based software solution, a biometric tablet with integrated labour management software [12], which is designed for construction contractors, capable of managing small and large workforces.

These solutions enable contractors to centralize a whole range of labour management data including time and attendance, payroll and expenses, health and safety, training and qualifications, labour tracking and online inductions on the cloud.

An on-site labour management system with biometric recognition techniques

How can we help?

If your company is involved in the construction sector, SOLVD can help you identify and implement smarter ways of working through the use of digital technologies.

For further information or to discuss your specific requirements, contact SOLVD@wlv.ac.uk or visit www.wlv.ac.uk/SOLVD

Blog by Ming Jing Yao, Research and Innovation Graduate and SOLVD project academic team member at The University of Wolverhampton.

Reference

[1] P. S. (2008). Identification of application areas for Augmented Reality in industrial construction based on technology suitability. Automation in Construction, 17(7), 882-894.

[2] S. Dong, C. Feng, V.R. Kamat, Sensitivity analysis of augmented reality-assisted

building damage reconnaissance using virtual prototyping, Autom. Constr. 33

[3] https://youtu.be/gUkXDkeEOSM1

[4] https://www.augview.net/

[5] A.H. Behzadan, S. Dong, V.R. Kamat, Augmented reality visualization: A review of civil infrastructure system applications, Adv. Eng. Inform. 29 (2) (2015) 252–267

[6] https://www.tekla.com/uk

[7] https://anavision.com/blog/construction-site-safety-issues-detection/

[8] https://www.smartvid.io/safety-monitoring

[9] https://t2d2.ai/

[10] https://player.vimeo.com/video/362660650\

[11] https://www.causeway.com/products/auroracs

[12] https://www.causeway.com/products/donseed-portable-biometric-tablet

[13] https://www.procore.com/jobsite/5-real-uses-for-augmented-reality-in-construction-today/

[14] G. Roberts, O. Ogundipe, A.H. Dodson, Construction plant control using RTK GPS, in: Proceedings of the FIG XXII International Congress, Washington, DC, 2002